Fifth Ave. Business Spotlight: Tattoo Shop Is on Bay Ridge’s ‘A’ List

Fifth Ave. Business Spotlight: Tattoo Shop Is on Bay Ridge’s ‘A’ List

By M.K. McGarrity

Special to Brooklyn Eagle

BAY RIDGE — A List Tattoos is a custom shop for body art that will carry out both American and Asian styles of tattooing and work with customers to bring their ideas into the forefront of the creative process.

The shop owner and master tattoo artist in residence at A List is Steve Kane, who has been tattooing professionally for well over a decade. He apprenticed in the art locally (in the East Village) and decided to establish his own enterprise in Bay Ridge because of his fondness for and knowledge of the neighborhood.

Kane began his career in the business by attending conventions in the field. He became more interested in pursuing this body art and has committed his life to its pursuit. He notes that tattooing once used to be unusual, but has now gone entirely mainstream.

A List Tattoos will accommodate any request, from a portrait of a well-known figure to an avant-garde concept. The staff at the shop will work with customers who have an idea of an image they might like, but are unsure of just how they would like it to appear. The staff will also provide coverage work for someone who is interested in altering a previous design.

The artists are also more than willing to walk through and explain the process to new clients who have not previously had any tattoos. It is a delicate art; the ink must penetrate enough skin to remain in place, yet not go too deep to the layers beneath the skin that will not hold pigment.

“I’m interested in the expressive,” Kane said. “We are a custom shop.”

According to Kane, the goal of an artist is to achieve design and color endurance. Clearly, Kane is committed to doing good work. Dedicated to the artistic representation of ink on the body, he remains enthusiastic about every image and has built a loyal clientele.

The business of A List Tattoos operates primarily through referrals and word of mouth. Consultations are free. Tattoos are by appointment; though walk-in service may be possible, it is best to call ahead. Piercings are done on the weekend only.

A List Tattoos is located at 7123 Fifth Ave. For more information, call (347) 578-7999, email [email protected], or check out the web page at www.alistindustry.com. The shop is open six days a week: Monday through Saturday, from 2 to 7 p.m. during the winter; and noon to 7 p.m. during the summer. The business is closed on Sundays.